Food, foam, and fun – GC News # 651

651: 5 October 2009 – Published by Green Communities Canada

Q.A. ASSISTANT. Donna Bailey is Green Communities Canada’s new Quality-Assurance Coordinator.  She will assist Bhim Subba with the Home Performance program.

IWALK. October is International Walk to School Month.  Green Communities Canada’s Active and Safe Routes to School program encourages schools to participate in walking activities such as iwalk club, Winter Walk Day, Spring into Spring and Blazing Trails Through the Urban Jungle.

ECO-HALLOWEEN. In Canada, candy and snack food sales reach $285 millions in October.  Équiterre suggests environmentally-friendly treats, costumes and decorations (in French) … Green Halloween does the same, in English.

BOOKS.  Alerte! Le Québec à l’heure des changements climatiques, written by the co-founder of Équiterre, Steven Guilbeault,  talks about ecological damage and solutions … Now or Never, from author of The Weather Makers, says we have passed the tipping point of climate consequences and must act now to avoid full-scale climate catastrophe.

DAY OF ACTION. On 24 October (International Day of Climate Change), local actions in more than 128 countries will be held to highlight the number 350, "as in 350 parts per million, the level scientists have identified as the safe upper limit for CO2 in our atmosphere."

ENVIRO-WARRIORS. Citizens battling huge development projects face legal and financial threats, says Ontario’s environmental commissioner. See Toronto Star article.

YOUTH. Powershift offers two days of training, strategy, and action and one mass lobby day, Climate Day: Fill the Hill, to hold elected officials accountable for their part to solve the climate crisis. Ottawa, 23-26 October … Waterlution engages youth on water issues with The Future of Water Workshops. Bay of Quinte, 6-8 November.

NUKES TALKS. World-renown anti-nuclear and peace activist Helen Caldicott is on an four-date tour on The Nuclear Question: Acute and Chronic Dangers of Nuclear Power, Nuclear War and DU Weapons. Toronto, Peterborough, Kingston and London, 13-16 October.

GRANTS. Shell Environmental Fund supports projects that yield direct environmental benefit and engage the local community through hands-on involvement (grants up to $10,000).  Application: 15 February and 13 September … Also offers grants up to $100,000 towards initiatives that improve and preserve the Canadian Environment. No due date.

GREEN JOBS. Good Green Jobs For All conference brings together participants dedicated to creating green jobs, including green manufacturing jobs in the Greater Toronto Area. Toronto, 7 November.

FOOD SYSTEM. Canadian food justice activist Wayne Roberts, author of The No-Nonsense Guide to World Food, talks about rebuilding the Canadian food system. Ottawa, 16 October … See Time Magazine article about the real cost of cheap food.

FOAM AT THE MOUTH. Artifical dyes, flavours and preservatives are some of the ingredients of toothpaste … Consult  Skin Deep Cosmetic Safety Database.

JOBS. City Green Solutions, Client Services Assistant, Victoria, BC, due 16 October … Retire Your Ride, Bilingual Program Coordinator.  Toronto, no due date.